The Supreme Deity of the Shinto Pantheon
Amaterasu-Ōmikami (天照大御神), "the Great Divinity Illuminating Heaven," is the most important deity (kami) in the Shinto religion and the divine ancestor of Japan's imperial family. Her worship is centered at the Grand Shrine of Ise (Ise Jingū) in Mie Prefecture — the most sacred site in all of Shinto — where she has been enshrined for over two thousand years.
As the goddess of the sun, Amaterasu represents light, life, agricultural fertility, and the legitimacy of imperial rule. The Chrysanthemum Throne — Japan's imperial seat — traces its divine mandate directly to her through the mythological lineage recorded in Japan's oldest written texts.
The Sources: Kojiki and Nihon Shoki
The primary sources for Amaterasu's mythology are Japan's two oldest chronicles:
- Kojiki (712 CE, "Record of Ancient Matters"): The oldest surviving Japanese text, compiled by order of Empress Genmei. It contains the creation myths, the genealogies of the gods, and the lineage of the imperial family from the divine age to the 7th century.
- Nihon Shoki (720 CE, "Chronicles of Japan"): A more formal historical chronicle presenting multiple versions of the same myths, showing that early Japanese religious tradition was not monolithic.
Together, these texts form the mythological foundation of Shinto theology and imperial legitimacy.
The Birth of Amaterasu
According to the Kojiki, the primordial deities Izanagi and Izanami created the Japanese islands and gave birth to many kami. After Izanami died giving birth to the fire deity and descended to the underworld (Yomi), Izanagi escaped and purified himself in a river. As he washed his left eye, Amaterasu was born. From his right eye came Tsukuyomi, the moon god. From his nose came Susanoo, the storm god.
Izanagi assigned Amaterasu to rule the Plain of High Heaven (Takamagahara), Tsukuyomi to rule the night, and Susanoo to rule the seas.
The Cave Myth: Darkness and the Return of Light
The most famous myth involving Amaterasu centers on her withdrawal from the world. After a conflict with her brother Susanoo — who, grief-stricken over his banishment, caused chaos that Amaterasu interpreted as aggression — she retreated into the Ama-no-Iwato, the Heavenly Rock Cave, plunging the world into darkness.
The eight million kami of heaven gathered outside the cave in alarm. To lure Amaterasu out, the trickster goddess Ame-no-Uzume performed a wild, comic dance that made all the gods burst into laughter. Curious about what could cause such merriment despite the darkness, Amaterasu opened the cave door slightly — and was pulled out by the strong god Ame-no-Tajikarao. Light returned to the world.
This myth has multiple interpretations: as a solar eclipse narrative, as a ritual explanation for sacred dance (kagura), and as a theological statement about the necessity of divine presence for cosmic order.
The Three Sacred Treasures
Before sending her grandson Ninigi-no-Mikoto to descend to earth and rule Japan, Amaterasu gave him three sacred objects that became the imperial regalia of Japan:
- Yata no Kagami (八咫鏡) — the sacred mirror, representing wisdom and truth. The original is enshrined at Ise.
- Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi (草薙の剣) — the grass-cutting sword, representing valor. Enshrined at Atsuta Shrine in Nagoya.
- Yasakani no Magatama (八尺瓊勾玉) — jeweled curved beads, representing benevolence. Kept within the Imperial Palace.
These three treasures remain central to Japanese imperial ceremony. A new emperor's accession rituals involve their formal presentation to the throne.
Amaterasu and the Living Tradition
Amaterasu is not merely a historical figure — she is actively worshipped at Ise Jingū by millions of pilgrims each year. The inner shrine (Naikū) is rebuilt every twenty years in a ceremony called Shikinen Sengū — a tradition maintained for over 1,300 years — embodying the Shinto principle of renewal through purification. For those who wish to understand Japan's spiritual identity, Amaterasu stands at the very center.